Less than half of Americans six months and older received the flu shot last season, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Due the low efficacy of last year’s shot, patients are likely to be reluctant to get it again—or for the first time—this year.
As an independent community pharmacy, your pharmacists and employees have great relationships with your patients. You’re in a perfect position to dispel patients’ common misconceptions about the flu shot and to encourage patients to get their flu shot today—in your store!
Here are four myths to bust to make sure your patients are healthy and well-informed this flu season.
Myth 1: The flu shot doesn’t work
During pre-flu season, make it a habit to ask every patient who picks up a prescription if he or she has gotten a flu shot. Let your patients know that although the efficacy of the vaccine varies from year to year, there are many benefits to getting the flu shot every year.
An important point to share with patients is that even if they do catch the flu after having the shot, the vaccine can make the illness milder and can reduce the risk of hospitalization.
Especially inform patients with chronic health issues that the flu shot is beneficial, as they’re at higher risk.
Flu vaccinations were associated with lower rates of cardiac events in those with heart disease, reduced hospitalizations in those with diabetes by 79 percent, and reduced hospitalizations in those with chronic lung disease by 52 percent, according to the CDC.
Myth 2: I’m only putting myself at risk
Tell reluctant patients that they could be harming more than just themselves if they opt out of the vaccine.
By not getting vaccinated, they’re putting the elderly, those with chronic health conditions and children at risk. They could also pass the flu along to infants under 6 months old, who are too young to receive the vaccine.
Myth 3: I can get the flu from taking the vaccine
Assure your patients that the virus is inactivated, and not infectious. It’s important to let them know that it’s possible to experience mild symptoms including soreness or swelling where the shot was administered, headaches, muscle aches, and a low fever.
Make sure that your patients understand that the possible side effects are much milder—and less dangerous—than getting the flu.
Myth 4: I’m scared of needles, so I can’t get vaccinated
Let patients know about the nasal spray flu vaccine, if you offer it.
Assure them that it’s just as effective as the shot, as long as they’re within the 2 to 49-year-old age bracket. In fact, neither the CDC nor the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) favor the shot over the nasal spray. However, keep in mind the demographic restrictions that apply only to the spray.
You can also consider incorporating needle-free flu shot technology to your pharmacy, which delivers the vaccine subcutaneously through the skin.
Bust these flu vaccination myths for your patients to keep them healthy this flu season.
